Chapter 8

The Favor

Alasha's body was slammed hard on the ground complete with a loud thump. She felt as though she couldn't breathe for a few moments until she started gasping heavily, still lying on her back as she stared up at the sunny sky.

Soon Guisha's face entered her field of vision and stared at the Keep Lord's daughter for a while before speaking.

"That was terrible," the young girl stated, "Even for you."

She held out her hand for Alasha to take.

Alasha continued to lay there a while longer before taking Guisha's hand and allowing herself to be helped up.

"Guisha," she gasped as she haunches over a little, "Must I continuously remind you not to kill me when we spar?"

Guisha smirked a little, "Sorry, oh future Keep mistress," she bowed her head, "How could I be so careless when it came to your own well-being?"

Alasha smiled as well, more at the irony that Guisha called her a Keep mistress, when in reality the odds were high that she would be of equal rank as well when her heritage was revealed…that was if any male was capable of seeing past her rather blunt and brutish personality.

The two sangheili had been sparring (or rather Guisha had been while Alasha was her moving target) in an attempt to take a break from their average schedules.

Guisha was still studying in the ward that housed all the younglings of the Keep, just one cycle away from becoming an adult and she was ready for it. She wouldn't be accomplishing much when she matured since most females either became child bearers or guards to the fiefdom, but she had confided in Alasha that when she was deemed a warrior she was going to leave and join the Swords of Sanghelios. This had been her plan ever since they both heard rumors that the Arbiter was willing to accept females within the ranks.

Guisha had been ecstatic ever since.

Alasha on the other hand…she wasn't sure how to feel. She was happy that Guisha seemed to have a goal in her life, an objective, but would it clash with her new responsibilities upon learning she was also a daughter of the Keep Lord? Alasha supposed it may be alright, after all daughters weren't as important as sons, but she could still be used as a bargaining tool, a promise to one man in order to assure peace or alliances between Keeps. Alasha shuddered and prayed such a fate never befell her, but still, it's not like her life would improve even if this didn't occur; either way, no male would ever respect her.

Unlike him…

"Again."

Alasha blinked and looked at Guisha

"Pardon?"

Guisha grinned mischievously, "You're smiling again for no reason. You have been acting like this all day."

She crossed her arms and leaned forward a little in anticipation, "Care to share?"

Alasha for her part felt her cheeks flush upon realizing how obvious her emotions were that morning.

Guisha silently chuckled, "It must have been good then, what happened? Did you punch him? Kick him? Maybe even embarrassed him."

These comments caught Alasha off guard, wiping away her moment of fluster as she looked at Guisha in confusion.

"What do you mean?" she asked in a baffled tone.

Now it was Guisha's turn to look surprised as she leaned away. She looked around to make sure they were alone in the courtyard.

"The courtship. With the human."

Alasha still didn't understand before it dawned on her that Guisha believed she had simply abused Derek throughout the whole evening.

True, he was frightened of her, but in all honesty she didn't really mean to scare him so much. Besides, from the very beginning when he retrieved her to the end when he returned her, she was treated as nobly as any sangheili could be. She doubted even her mother had received such care when she and her father were beginning to court.

"Guisha," she said gently, "The courtship went well, he was good to me so I was good to him."

Silence fell between them as Guisha stared at Alasha for a long time. Finally she leaned forward a bit, "Then why are you happy?"

Alasha suddenly felt flustered again as she looked, "Well it was fun and he-"

"Fun?" Guisha asked as if she didn't know the meaning of the word, looking extremely baffled at this moment.

"Yes," Alasha nodded in confirmation, "We danced and-"

"You danced!?"

Alasha stepped back in surprise at the sudden rage Guisha let loose.

"How could you have disgraced yourself by dancing for a -"

Alasha quickly stepped forward and grabbed Guisha's four mandibles, pushing them together and preventing her from saying another word.

"Guisha be quiet," Alasha hissed as she glanced around to ensure they are alone, "It isn't what you think."

Guisha's eyes burned with murderous intent, but she didn't struggle to free herself. Taking this as a good sign, Alasha released her sister and stepped away before whispering to her.

"Derek was respectable," she revealed, "Far more behaved than every male I have ever courted combined."

Guisha quirked an eye ridge at such a claim.

"It could have been a ruse."

Alasha was already shaking her head, "I thought so as well, but everything he did and said was genuine Guisha, most of which didn't even make sense. He had a meal made special just for me, he never once boasted about himself- in fact I had to all but pry such information from him. He never tried to touch me intentionally nor did he force me to perform acts I didn't want to and…and…"

"And what?" Guisha questioned, looking curious to what happened next.

Alasha knew she wouldn't understand but said it anyway, "We danced Guisha, together."

Guisha blinked in sudden amazement, "Males can dance?"

"Not like us, no," she said with a shake of her head, "Humans don't dance to attract…attention, they do it just to have fun."

"How could it be fun?" Guisha demanded, "I was humiliated for cycles on end when we were being taught how to perform it."

Alasha felt a chill run down her spine upon remembering taking such lessons as well. She was still a youngling then and was being taught how to produce offspring; details that traumatized her for the rest of her young life.

"I can't explain it," Alasha said after pushing her memories away, "But it was. We didn't dance for one another's entertainment, we performed together, dancing to autistic and memorable rhythms."

"You danced to the music?" Guisha scowled lightly, "Last time I was at their base a group of humans were listening to ghastly wails emitting from a box, I was shocked to hear it was their form of music."

Alasha nodded, "Indeed, but we danced to their old music, it was slower, much easier to understand…even if the lyrics were a bit much."

"Much?" Guisha asks.

Alasha felt hot as she remembered what was being sung. She knew Derek didn't mean to play such songs but would Guisha be just as understanding or would she want to impale the human for what his music device was singing?

"Alasha."

The two females turned upon hearing the deep rumbling of Rhral as he stepped outside. The massive bodyguard was dressed in his fine armor and armed with an energy spear that he easily held in his one hand. The other hand was a misshapen mess, a reminder of a fight between him and a Jiralhanae. Though he won, it cost him greatly. Despite his injury and him being posted as a guard in the Quas Keep, he was still a formidable adversary, even if he was one handed. He served as Alasha's bodyguard during official business, which was probably why he is here.

"Yes Rhral?" she asked, wondering if there was a task she forgot to perform this morning.

"There is a visitor here from the Yalrom Keep," he informed her, "The heir, Busras Yalrom."

Alasha visibly flinched while Guisha hissed in disdain.

The last time Busras was here…it wasn't a pleasant experience for Alasha. She dearly prayed his purpose here was to discuss trade, troop movement, anything that didn't have to do with…courtship. If it could even be called that.

Alasha gulped heavily before nodding, "Very well, let's not keep him waiting."

#

The three sangheili of the Quas Keep had assembled in the visitation room where most meetings were usually held. Alasha had been its sole occupant for a while now, doing nothing but going through daily reports of the fief's economy, the business with the council, and the occasional request of an audience with a visitor.

Though she was a female with a noble heritage and she had been doing much of the Keep's business for a while now, she wasn't treated with as much homage as her father would have. So it was often rare should anyone wish to have an audience with her…unless they were young men.

With that still in her mind she steeled herself for whatever was to come

"You may let him in now," she barked at Rhral.

The guard nodded before walking across the room to the door and opening it. Not long after, a male walked in, head held high, stance proper and a very arrogant look on his face. He was dressed in full combat armor, similar to Alasha if not more advanced and battle suited. She spied a couple of dents on the suit and briefly wondered if he had been in combat, or if it was from sparring (as was often the case whenever she trained with Guisha). The fact that he came well dressed and clearly full of confidence wasn't a welcoming sight.

Now Alasha's dread had been confirmed. No one ever smiled at doing business with a female, which meant there was only one other purpose for him being here.

Guisha guessed as much as well and was struggling to keep herself from snarling at the approaching sangheili. Though Alasha was willing to look past any 'acts of transgression', she does not wish to make an enemy of the Yalrom Fiefdom, especially when Busras was a direct blood kin to that region's Kaidon.

"Alasha," she was pulled from her wondering as Busras came to a stop before her with a wide smile, "You look lovely today."

Per courtesy, she must at least act civil to which she did with obvious force, "Busras," she said with a firm voice, not in any mood to please his ego, "What is your business here in our lands?"

Busras merely smiled stupidly before answering, "I came to request a courtship with you."

Alasha cursed her luck.

"I see," she said trying to keep her voice from straining, "However my father is not here to approve a courtship or not, he's probably already thinking of other suitors who can try for my hand."

She really hoped that's not what her father was doing behind her back, but just as long as it could get rid of Busras she didn't care.

Busras snorted a bit at this, "What male could ever best me in a duel? I slayed a good number of warriors during duels, enough to make me a Field Marshal." He chuckled at what he said, but no one else joined him.

"If I remember correctly," Alasha said, "Most of those duels were unofficial and often ended with you using an illegal weapon or having help from a friend."

Busras suddenly frowned before quietly stating, "Mind your tongue."

Alasha cursed yet again, but at her own stupidity. This wasn't Derek, unlike with him she couldn't speak her mind.

"Furthermore," he resumed, though not as jubilant as before Alasha's comment, "I am connected to a Kaidon, my uncle you see..."

He then dared to reach out and take Alasha's hand, squeezing it until she flinched a little, sure that his talons were piercing her skin.

"Can you imagine it Alasha?" he questioned, "Your father will no longer have to travel far to speak his mind to this territory's foolish Kaidon by scampering at his feet. He will have direct access to my uncle who can surely bring everything your father has to say before the council themselves, a great boon."

His grip tightened on her and now she knew for sure blood was being drawn, she willed any tears from welling in her eyes.

It isn't the pain that is causing it but more of the emotional trauma that was threatening to overtake her.

She didn't want to admit it but Busras was scaring her. The way he is talking is almost like…like he was planning on asking her to marry him. She wanted to deny it, to scream no, but he was making many valid points. Her father might just agree, he cared for his daughter but he also cared for the fief and having direct access to a Kaidon would be a direct benefit.

By all means, Busras was attractive, close to her age and a capable warrior.

But she didn't want him, not when he was like this. Tough hide, sharp nails, and strength which he could easily let loose on her. She didn't want to evoke such wrath which could easily be riled by his ever increasing pride. She wouldn't be able to say anything meaningful, he'll strip her of any sense of dignity or pride. Even if she became a Keep mistress she doubted he would let her sphere of influence be too wide.

She wished she could have Rhral escort him out, or better yet have Guisha maim him, but he was a guest and such action could spark a war between them and the Yalrom Keep, a fight that would be costly and all because of one man's ego.

"What do you say Alasha," he asked in a disgusting voice and that ever infuriating smile returned, "It'll be like old times."

Old times?

He was the reason she was always exhausted every day and couldn't sleep at night. If anything, he was the worst male by far. Everything about him was wrong, his ego, his brutish nature, his disrespectfulness. The way he was holding her hand is wrong.

'I don't want this', she cried inwardly, 'I want someone who is gentle, kind, isn't arrogant and respectful and…and…'

One face filled her mind, a certain male, a certain alien.

Derek…

Could she use that? Was it possible? Right now she was desperate and decided to act upon it.

"No."

The entire room seemd to still. Both Rhral and Guisha swung their heads around and gawked at what Alasha had said. Even Busras seemed stunned, causing his hand to lessen its grip on Alasha's.

"N-no?" he asked as if he had never heard the word.

"No," Alasha repeated as she yanked her hand away, rubbing it to sooth the stinging pain as she looked him in the eye.

"I am already being courted."

Rhral maintained his confused look as he tried to think of the last male Alasha was with. As far as he knew, nobody had come and asked for courtship.

Guisha on the other hand knew who Alasha was talking about and it left her mandibles open wide like a flower as she stared at shock in Alasha's direction.

Slowly Busras's anger started to flare up as he stood tall and finally spoke.

"Th-This is an outrage!" he shouted, "Who could possibly be better than me?!"

"It doesn't matter if he is better than you Busras," Alasha worked hard to keep the smirk off her face, "But the fact is he asked me first before you. The only reason why I have yet to inform you of this is because your atrocious acts appalled my mind."

Her insults weren't helping Busras to calm down, but she didn't care. As far as he knew she was some other male's prize, probably someone from a powerful keep like his and someone he did not want to start a war against for disrespecting his female.

"What is his name?"

Alasha was at a loss for a moment before deciding to be truthful, or as truthful as could be.

"His name is Derek," she said as she sits up straight as if respecting his name, "he is of the…Heath Keep."

Busras snarled, "I never heard of him."

"He came from far away," she informed him, "A warrior with an army at his beck and call."

She was certain if Derek was attacked then the entire human base would rally and fight back, after all, in order to attack Derek the attacker must assault the base to do so.

She knew she was treading on dangerous grounds, but at the moment all she wanted was Busras to be gone.

"Did you have anything else to request?" she questioned the male.

Busras just stood there and scowled at her.

"No."

She nodded before looking at Rhral, "Please escort Busras back to his vehicle."

She didn't want to leave Busras unsupervised should he choose to take his anger out on one of their Keep's displayed heirlooms.

The guard nodded and came up to Busras, waiting on the male. Finally he gives one last growl before turning and stalking out of the room with Rhral closely watching.

All was silent until the door closed. Guisha, still stunned by what she had just witnessed, turned to face Alasha.

"Did you just-"

She was cut off as Alasha slammed her hands on the desk and stood up quickly, turning to look at Guisha with a look of absolute panic on her face.

"I need to find Derek!"

Derek's POV

"Did you have a good time? Who did you take? Did you give her flowers? What about pictures? You have to send me pictures!"

"Mom!" Derek said as he ran a hand over his face in mild embarrassment, "It wasn't a high school dance, and it was strictly professional."

"Ha!" he heard his father's voice somewhere off the screen, "I doubt that was the case, son."

Derek was quiet for a moment before shrugging in defeat, "Guilty."

Today the officers had offered the marines another treat: free fifteen minutes to call home. The small communications building had been swarmed by marines ever since as they called their relatives, friends, or sweethearts. Derek was one of the last to get his turn to call home, but it was worth it since now there was no one standing in line outside the door. He had been speaking for eight minutes now with seven to go before an officer cut the connection.

Even though the war was over, calls home weren't frequent due to the security measures. This rare opportunity was met with enthusiasm, especially when they could use the military's quality made communication's phone which also had the feature for people to chat via video camera.

Derek was seated in front of a monitor as his mother did so likewise back home on Mars.

Luckily it was Sunday and his parents were off. Mostly on Saturdays they would travel to big cities hours away from home to get supplies, food, and water. It had become more and more difficult to do so ever since refugees from glassed worlds started filling in. Though more food was being delivered with the war over, not as much as before, but at least it was a start. His family always had a hard time getting enough food to last the week in their isolated homestead.

His mother was talking from the living room, seated on their old couch while he can just see out the window positioned behind her, revealing the clear sunny day with orange dust flying by every so often.

From the sound of it his dad had just walked in and was taking his shoes off by the door; mom's rules for a clean house always held out.

He didn't look much like his mother, Sophia Heath, who was short with brown hair and dark eyes and darkened skin, but she was always his mom, as well as everyone else's. She just had enough love to pass around whether it was at home, at work or abroad. If anything it was her very presence that made him believe that love was powerful.

There was a small commotion before she scooted a little to the side, making room for his dad to come and sit next to her.

Rodrick "Rudi" Heath wasn't a muscular man but neither was he skinny. He was able to fill up a bit coat jacket and some big boots, he had a bit of a belly growing, but it wasn't too bad. It was obvious to see that he is Derek's father, blond hair, pale skin and blue eyes, if it wasn't for the wrinkles on his brow, him being a few inches taller, and the rotund stomach, he and Derek could have been mistaken for twins. Seeing his duty shirt Derek guessed he was outside again, whether it was fixing the car or simply doing yard work, Rudi Heath kept himself busy, and he'd go crazy otherwise if there was nothing to do.

Rudi looked his son up and down for a moment before saying, "You got something on your shoulder."

Derek looked and sure enough there was a bit of a stain on his armor, possible grease from the brief time he and his squad were hanging around the carpool area.

"I'll fix it," Derek said as he nonchalantly brushed his hand over the indicated spot, "How is everything back home?"

His dad shrugged before leaning back a bit, "Season is almost here, I was thinking about asking Tanner's boys if they would like to help, get them doing some work instead of being inside that house all day."

Derek winced slightly, "Sorry for not being there to help."

"Don't be sorry, Derek," comforted his mother with a warm gentle smile, "There'll be more seasons, and you're doing important things as well."

"Uh... yeah," Derek said with a nod.

He didn't want his father to know that he and his team had pretty much been slacking off whenever they were off duty, nor did he want his mother to worry that they were doing anything dangerous.

Which brought about the question about Alasha.

Should he tell them about her? Where would he begin? There was no way they would buy any of it except for the beginning when he told them he was drunk (a matter of state which they had yet to see him in.) Furthermore he had no idea what they would think, they met the refugees, saw the footage of the war and heard of the Covenant's destructive powers; what would they think should they learn their son had dated one of them?

"So how was this dance?" His father asked, "And who was the girl for that matter?"

So much for avoiding that part.

"Yeah…umm…"

He wondered what to say, be truthful or make something up? Maybe lie then tell them about Alasha later when he's back home, face to face. He's sure the explaining would take a lot more than his given fifteen minutes.

"Well…you…see…erm…"

"You didn't have a date did you?"

His mother quickly punched his father's side, "Rudi!" she scolded, "What a thing to say to your son!"

Derek couldn't help but chuckle. His relationship with his dad may not have been seen as fatherly, but more like a bond between brothers. His dad had a bad experience as a kid. With his own father being abusive, he was quite unsure how to be a dad for Derek when he was born. Despite that, he raised Derek and his siblings well in his opinion, such quirks he would say were always done in a teasing manner which became even funnier when his mother would swat, hit, or kick Rudi's shins for every one of his comments. It wasn't an abusive relationship, his dad just took it and laughed it off, which in turn steamed his mother even more that he was more amused than hurt from her attacks.

Sophia turned back to her son, "Ignore your father son, how was the dance?"

Derek shrugged, "It was fine, the food was terrible, the music was worse, my friends were too busy with their own dates, the only time I had fun was…when…"

When he was dancing with Alasha. When they were alone and she put his worries and fears to rest when she told him she enjoyed herself. The night even got better despite all odds, and even he had a great time. He wondered where Alasha was now and if she even remembered last night.

"I take it back," his father suddenly said, "He did have a girl."

That was followed by another smack and a brief chuckle.

It had been years and not once had his mother left so much as a mark on his father, maybe this was her idea of fun.

"Oh come on Derek," her mother said with a smile, "Who was the lucky lady?"

Derek laughed nervously, "Well mom…uh…you see she was…"

He trailed off again, but this time for a different reason.

Outside he could hear a commotion. It wasn't unusual to hear someone shouting, it was all part of routine, but something about it sounded urgent and seemed to be coming closer to the building.

"Derek?" his mother asked as both her and his father leaned forward, apparently hearing the disturbances as well, "What is-"

The doors right behind Derek burst open, and to Derek's surprise, in came Alasha, or rather it looked like Alasha.

He was sure it was her because of her mesmerizing shape. He noticed first that her suit of armor was haphazardly placed over her body, her helmet barely hanging onto her head as if she was in a hurry to put her gear on.

She was hunched over a bit as she breathed heavily, did she run here all the way from the Keep?

"Derek," she gasped and began to straighten up, "I need to speak to-"

She stopped speaking when she saw Derek in front of the monitor with other humans, both watching her closely with wide eyes as they continued to look her up and down.

It occured to Derek that his parents have never seen a sangheili, or rather they had never been in a situation where they could interact with one another.

His parents simply looked shell-shocked at Alasha's brash and unexpected arrival, while Alasha for her part just looked lost, like she didn't know what to do next.

Finally, Derek cleared his throat and soon felt all eyes on him. He decided to deal with the elephant, well, alien in the room since she was closest.

"Alasha," he said calmly before gesturing to the screen, "These are my parents."

He then looked back at the monitor, "Mom, dad, this is Alasha," he pointed at the indicated sangheili, "and she is my-"

"Courtship partner," Alasha suddenly interjected.

"Courtship part-"

Derek suddenly stopped dead as he realized what was said and felt his own jaw starting to drop open.

"Gh-"

It was nothing compared to his parents, his father eyebrows rose high at the proclamation while his mother's mouth popped open in surprise in a silent gasp.

He looked back at Alasha, about to ask what she meant when she got closer to him and put a hand on his shoulder.

"Derek," she said in a breathless tone, "I need to speak with you, urgently."

Derek didn't want to cut his visit with his parents short, but if this situation was big enough to get Alasha worried, then by all means he should be worried too.

He looked back at his still stunned parents, "Mom, dad, I'll be right back, okay?"

Before they could respond he stood up from his chair and turned to find Alasha hurrying out the door, he sprinted after her to stay close.

Once outside she stepped to the side of the door and was looking around nervously, like a criminal on the run or something.

The whole situation was starting to freak Derek out, but he kept his cool as he stepped right next to her and spoke.

"Alasha" she turned at the sound of her name, "What is going on? Why are you so out of breath? And why did you just tell my parents that you're my courtship partner?"

She didn't answer for a whole minute as she stared at the ground as if contemplating what to say.

Before long, she looked up and talked.

"Derek, I am sorry," she said, "I really am, truly sorry but I just couldn't…I needed…"

"What?" Derek demanded, "You needed what?"

She hissed, but not at him, probably out of frustration if nothing else.

"There... was a male from the Yalrom Keep that arrived today" she informed him, "and he was, he is…"

She snaps her mandibles together before speaking again.

"He is just everything I hate, even before we began courting and-"

"You courted him?" Derek asked, feeling surprised for some reason at the interruption.

"Unfortunately," she growled as she looked away, "but even then, nothing changed, he was just…horrible."

Her voice was still hard, but he swore he heard a bit of sorrow mixed in. One didn't need to be a genius to gleam how bad things were for her on this 'courtship', it was probably even worse considering her role and position in society.

"I'm sorry," Derek said, which earned a look from Alasha, "Nobody should go through what you did."

She turned away, but he was sure he saw a small smile form.

"Regardless," she continued, "As you know, females cannot turn away suitors as you have learned not too long ago."

Derek nodded in understanding, so far he understood but he was sure he's missing the main point.

"The only reason for a female to turn away suitors is if she is sick, unable to produce offspring or…"

"Or what?" Derek questioned.

Alasha sighed as he glanced at him, eyes were glistening as though they were wet.

"Or if they're already being courted."

Already being…slowly the realization dawned on him and he felt himself becoming shocked once more.

"I'm sorry Derek," she said as she stares at the ground.

"I just panicked and…I just didn't want to go through the pain again so I…I…"

Derek's breath got stuck in his throat when he saw the last thing he ever expected to see; tears streaming down her cheeks before falling to the floor.

He was speechless for a full minute. He never thought he would see a sangheili cry. Alasha had proved that she was just as strong and tolerant as the males of her race. Yet here she was, reduced to tears, all because of one guy.

He knew some lousy people from Mars who were so full of themselves that they didn't care if they hurt other people. He thought about his dad, so tall and so tough, but he remembered seeing a scar on his hip once and Derek asked about it. His dad didn't say a thing, he just clammed up.

Later his mom explained that his grandfather was a bit abusive and that the scar was from one of his tantrums. Even after all these years his dad was still sensitive about the past, even if he didn't say it.

Slowly, Derek looked back at Alasha who had crossed her arms and was looking away from him. His eyes widened when he saw her hand, it was holding her arm but he could plainly see three long scratches running along their length.

'Did that guy…'

Derek felt anger and rage build in him. After last night, he could believe without fault that Alasha had done nothing to warrant such treatment, she would never put so much as a foot out of line and yet this is what she got for it in the end?

He wasn't exactly thrilled to hear that he was back to courting her, but said thoughts were diminished as he remembered the previous night. Right before he dropped her off and he didn't want her to leave, not yet anyway. He asked if they could be friends and she agreed. They were friends now, they needed to look out for one another.

He sadly smiled as he remembered that he did owe her one for going on a date with her in the first place.

Alasha POV

She couldn't believe she just started crying, but after all that had happened could she really be blamed?

The previous night was an incredible experience for her, being cared for and treated gently by an alien, a species that she thought was below her. Followed by the male she had always despised and who wanted to court her once more and make life miserable just so that he could have one ounce more of pleasure in the world.

Out of foolishness she had lied and sought out Derek for help. But now that she had told him and realizing what she was placing on him she realized he probably saw her as cowardly weakling. For some reason she couldn't bear the thought of Derek seeing her like this. Against her will the tears came and she couldn't hide them, they were hidden for so long the circumstances of her life had finally managed to break them free.

She couldn't understand what she was feeling or why, never in her whole life had she even felt this conflicted before.

She jerked when she felt something…soft, touch her arm. She looked and found Derek by her side, lightly rubbing her arm. He was eyeing the marks on her hand from where Busras had lightly cut.

"Alasha," he said gently before looking her in the eyes, "I'd be honored to court you again."

Now it was her turn to be surprised as he continued speaking.

"Look, I know this is tough, and from the sound of it this isn't probably going to end well for either of us," he paused as he takes her hand in his, careful to brush against her raw skin, "But we're friends now and friends look out for each other, right?"

Alasha couldn't speak, but somehow he must have seen the disbelief in her eyes as he smiled, "So…if you're willing, can I court you?"

Slowly she nodded her head before she finally allowed herself to smile. She couldn't believe it, it wouldn't keep her safe from Busras indefinitely, but knowing she wasn't alone, that her new friend who she was already thinking highly of was willing to help her feel relieved, more so than she would have ever believed.

However her anxiety came back when he asked his next question that initially took her off guard.

"Want to meet my parents?"

#

"-and so after that I took her straight home before her bedtime," Derek finished telling his parents in a record time of two minutes with almost a couple of seconds to spare.

His parents were speechless, it was clear from the look on their faces that they would never have imagined that their son would be dating her, of all people.

She fidgeted in her seat a little, becoming self-conscious of how she was dressed and how she no doubt must have presented herself when she first arrived.

Somebody cleared their throat and gained her attention as she looked up. It was Derek's mother, Sophia she believed, and for the first time she was looking at Alasha directly, though with a bit of fear in her eyes and hesitation clear in her voice.

"It is…very nice to meet you…Alasha dear," she finally said.

Alasha for her part nodded,"It is an honor to meet you as well Sophia, your son has told me much about your family."

This generated a small smile from the female and Alasha felt a bit of relief.

Following his wife's example, Derek's father spoke next.

"So," he said lightly, "What can you tell us about yourself Alasha?"

She suddenly felt pressure building up again and worked hard to keep her composure. She was being offered a chance to talk about herself and she wanted to give a good impression. For some reason, getting Derek's parents approval suddenly meant the world to her.

"I am the daughter of the Keep Lord Quas," she informed them, "I am skilled in hand to hand combat, traveled over the expanse of Rahnelo on a few occasions and I am now helping in keeping stability within the fief until my father's return."

Both parents nodded at this and she suddenly felt hope filtering in. This was good, they were liking what she was telling them.

"Is there anything else dear?" Sophia asks.

Anything else? What could she tell them? What could a parent want their child's courting partner to say? She finally came up with something that could be of help.

"I am also currently twenty-seven summers old," she told them with a raised head.

Nothing was said and she feels the atmosphere growing heavy for some reason. Derek's parents were once again stunned, was it something she said? She glanced at Derek but he too looked surprised and maybe even a little pale.

"You're…how old?" Sophia asked once more.

A little hesitant, Alasha reluctantly answers, "Twenty-seven summers old mistress Heath," she said in a respect.

Her mouth opened and closed like she was trying to swallow something while her husband finally spokr.

"Alasha, you are aware that Derek is, about nineteen…summers old, right?"

Alasha knew this so she nodded.

"Yes I know sir," she said, "I believed males like females with experience."

There was a solid thud, and she turned to see that Derek had somehow fallen off his chair and was picking himself back up, his face changing into different colors at an alarming rate. Concerned, she was about to ask if he was alright when the door behind them opened and a man shouts inside.

"Heath!" the man yelled, "Times up! Say your goodbyes!"

Immediately Derek turned to the screen and spoke quickly.

"I got to go now, I love you guys."

"Derek, wait," his mother started to say,

"Bye!" Derek shouted before cutting off the transmission.

The room became silent as Alasha waited for Derek to move or at least say something. It was obvious her remark had caused a sort of disturbance and she wished to know what it was.

Finally Derek sucked in some air as he looked at Alasha.

"So," he said lightly.

"Twenty-seven, huh?"

"Yes," Alasha said cautiously, "Is that too young?"

In response Derek covered his face and groaned.